Umass Psychology People

Dr. David Moorman

Research in our lab focuses on understanding how networks of neurons control complex behavior. We use animal models to study motivation, learning, and executive function (e.g., decision-making). We are also interested in neural changes underlying disorders such as addiction, ADHD, obesity, and depression, also using animal models of these diseases. We address these questions by monitoring (using electrophysiology and cellular imaging) and manipulating (using optogenetics, chemical genetics, and pharmacology) precisely-defined neural networks. We also collaborate with computational neuroscientists and statisticians to develop new ways of understanding how neural ensembles are related to behavior.

a.Research in our lab focuses on understanding how networks of neurons in the brain control complex behavior.We are interested subjects like motivation, learning, and executive function (e.g., decision-making).We are also interested in what happens in the brain to disrupt these behaviors in disorders such as addiction, ADHD, obesity, and depression.We address these questions by monitoring (using electrophysiology and imaging) and manipulating (using optogenetics, chemical genetics, and pharmacology) precisely-defined neural networks.We also collaborate with computational neuroscientists and statisticians to develop new ways of understanding how neural ensembles are related to behavior.